As You Sow...

In the seasonal calendar, we come to the cross-quarter season of Lammas on Wednesday: the Festival of the First Harvest and the commencement of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. Although we obviously have at least six weeks of summer weather ahead of us, we now begin to notice the Sun setting a little earlier with each passing day and tomatoes ripening on the vine. It’s here we begin to turn our attention to whatever was sown these past three month to see what exactly, we’re set to reap.

Planetary Roundup

This week we’re entering a lull in terms of immediate geocosmic activity, a sharp-break from last week’s Mercury-Mars-Eclipse density wave. The appearance of relative quiet is a good sign considering we’re sandwiched between two potent eclipse events with a ticking time-bomb of an aspect set to detonate midweek. Let’s take a wide-angle look at some of the major drivers of cosmic commotion that are likely to manifest in real life this week and beyond.

Retrogrades

We’re in the thick of retrogradation with 5 out of 8 planetary bodies in apparent backward motion; if we count Uranus, now motionless ahead of turning retrograde next week, we’ll have 6 planets in retrograde, suggesting a period more given to soul-searching than out-picturing. Of these inwardly-turned archetypes, Mercury and Mars are the ones more likely to have an immediate impact on our mental and physical constructions. Let’s take a look...

Many of you are familiar with the impact of retrograde Mercury on communication and transportation in personal terms, but it also has a major influence on media and the free-flow of information over the Internet. Symbolically or literally, Mercury (information, words, testimonies, decrees, etc) in retrograde speaks of repetition or going back over subject matter supposedly covered once already. Second guessing and reframing questions immediately come to mind.

Currently, Mercury retrograde (only two days old at time of this writing) has already coincided with a contradiction (Mercury) of sworn testimony and calls for the reappearance (retro) of those who may have spoken falsely the first time around. It's still too early to see anything as the 24-day Mercury retrograde period has only started and is likely to call-up more questions than answers. This also gives the Trickster more time to stir the soup before springing surprises as early as Aug. 8 when Mercury meets the Sun and before the Partial Solar Eclipse on Aug.11. Anybody who is too sure of themselves will be baiting their own trap as there are a number of unseen factors at work and beyond perception with Mercury retrograde until Aug. 19. Gotcha!

In cahoots with Mercury we find Mars, now moving through the midpoint of its two-month retrograde and having just now reached its opposition with the Sun. [If you haven’t been outside at dark to see how brilliant Mars is during its closest approach to the Earth, you’re missing-out on an awesome spectacle.] Mars is the symbol of outward-directed energy as well as behavior, anger and violence; with its expression now turned inward, it continues to build steam in search of an outlet. It won’t be prudent to release the pressure until the end of August when Mars ends retrograde in Capricorn, to do otherwise could result in a major fail.

The ancient adage for Mars retrograde, “Whomever initiates the battle, loses the battle,” can be taken in a number of ways, depending on the situation, but in the bigger picture it will be interesting to see how this plays out in light of recent revelations. This will be particularly true if we see high-profile firings or dirty tricks, set to undermine those who may be closing in on the truth. It’s already too late for this tactic to work, even if Mars wasn’t retrograde.

Although the coming week is by all appearance, calm, we should be mindful of the fact that retrograde Mars is returning to form a 90-degree (square) aspect to an amplified (stationary) Uranus; meaning something is likely to detonate in the way of smoking guns, revelations, uprisings, disasters and the premature release of contents under pressure. Erratic, impulsive and ill-considered reactions are likely under this signature which is less likely to happen to those who are centered and grounding in present time. Wednesday marks the second of three such retrograde squares Mars makes to Uranus with the last having taken place back in mid-May and the next scheduled to occur on Sept. 18. Perhaps it will take that long for things to come to a head, but one cannot be too sure in light of the current reality distortion we’re experience at the moment.

Eclipse Cycles

The Total Lunar Eclipse that occurred this past Friday marked the midpoint of a three-part eclipse cycle with two partial solar eclipses on either side of the lunar eclipse. This is to say that we’re at the midpoint of a potent celestial pattern that began on July 12 and will complete itself on August 11 where many things still up in the air will begin to resolve themselves.

Considering this past Full Moon Eclipse in Aquarius was extremely important in terms of larger, historical cycles are concerned, it’s the next eclipse, the Leo New Moon/Partial Solar Eclipse of Aug. 11 is the one to watch as it refers us back to last August’s epic Leo New Moon/Total Solar Eclipse that planted the seed. As may of you know, eclipses set energies in motion that can take weeks, months or years to complete with the more potent the eclipse the longer it takes to complete itself. Solar eclipses in particular have always been associated with the “Fall of the King” as well as world leaders and important historical figures, this is most clearly expressed by eclipses occurring in the regal, solar sign of Leo.

Another point needs to be made with regard to eclipses in that it's generally considered unwise to set important matters into motion during the weeks that fall between eclipses the reasons for acting on something often become a moot point as conditions radically change. Put that in the same pot of soup with Mercury and Mars retrograde, kick back and watch the unfolding story without getting too worked-up or overly involved; at least not yet.

Lunar Gardening Report

As we oming away from Friday’s Full Moon Eclipse, the Moon is now in its waning phase, occupying agriculturally-sterile Aquarius until Sunday night. The best, and maybe last days for planting and fertilizing are on Monday and Tuesday with the Moon in Pisces; excellent for sprouting, planting, transplanting and pruning as well as feeding plants with organic, marine-based nutrients and plenty of water. The Aries Moon is in charge Wednesday through Friday afternoon; good days for weed and pest control, cutting and mowing to discourage growth, but not a good time to plant or fertilize. For the desperate, there is one tiny window available for planting between late afternoon Friday until early afternoon Saturday with the Moon in Taurus before entering its closing, Last Quarter Phase when the prohibition against planting goes into effect until Aug. 14.

Daily Forecast (For all signs)(Times are Eastern Daylight/-0400UTC)

Sunday, July 29: About the only thing to report today is a complete lack of lunar or planetary aspects, although this isn’t to say nothing is going on as we’re still getting feedback from Friday’s Full Moon/Total Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius. With the post-eclipse Moon void-of-course (VOC) in Aquarius until 7:30 pm, this wouldn’t be a good time to make promises or agreements you wish to stick. A dreamier, more imaginative tone emerges after 7:30 pm with the Moon in Pisces; ideal for movies, concerts, novels, late night swims or an early night to bed.

Monday, July 30: We continue to see a lack of aspects through most of the day, signaling a green-light for most initiatives as long as we consider the retrograde factor messing with communication, travel and expectations. Also keep in mind that the Pisces Moon can oftentimes present a rosier picture than actually exists, so without becoming pessimistic, take a close look at anything that appears too good to be true. An expansive lunar alignment occurs just before Midnight while another, overnight contact indicates the potential for awesome dreams.

Tuesday, July 31: We’re seeing a little more action and a little less light here at Lammas Eve with the Pisces Moon making contacts speaking to applied pressure and influence during the late morning while another mid-afternoon suggests confusions or misunderstandings. Minor relationship conflicts point to an emerging awareness about something that has been largely overlooked or neglected far too long.

Wednesday, Aug. 1: Lammas/Lughnasadh. In the pagan calendar, today marks the commencement of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere although it probably still feels like the dead of summer in most locales. An energetic tone may be in evidence today with the Moon in Aries, forming an active contact to retrograde Mars which may feel frustrating if we find ourselves facing delays or blockages in the early afternoon. An extremely volatile aspect dominates, pointing to sudden, explosive events or unexpected bursts of violence (Mars retro square Uranus). This same contact occurred on May 15, before Mars turned retrograde and will do so again on Sept.18 after Mars resumes direction motion at the end of August. Boom.

Thursday, Aug. 2: We’re probably still reverberating from yesterday’s Mars-Uranus square with all manner of weirdness dominating the news cycle with gun violence back in fashion again. With the Moon still transiting Aries, the focus tends to be on aggressive actions and behaviors, while closer to home, we can harness the same energy to get stuff done. A test of wills is possible tonight with a conversation or insight that could give us plenty to chew on after the fact.

Friday, Aug. 3: With the Moon VOC in Aries until 3:51 pm, it would be good to stick with routine while avoiding agreements or decisions that need to happen as expected. After that, the Moon will enter Taurus where a more grounded tone will prevail as well as a sense of tension if there is anything accompanying such feelings. With the Moon joining the remains of Wednesday’s Mars-Uranus square tonight, we might have a revisitation or an extreme event underscoring recent developments. This would be a good time to find your center and ground until things lighten-up and we’re encouraged to find something normal to do with ourselves.

Saturday, Aug. 4: The Taurus Moon enters into its Last Quarter Phase in the early afternoon, signaling an impasse or error in need of correction as well as the cue to begin putting a wrap on projects and initiative set in motion over the course of the past three weeks. A more upbeat and optimistic tone converges tonight, ideal for parties, celebrations and other social gatherings while conversations run deep and probing, well into the wee morning hours.